Dog Control

Microchipping

Microchipping is a quick safe and permanent method of identification that very rarely stops working and can increase your chances of being reunited with your pet should it become lost or stolen.

A tiny microchip (the size of a grain of rice) is painlessly inserted in the skin at the back of the dog's neck. This has a unique code number which is entered onto a national PetLog computer database together with the owner's name and address. If the dog is found, a scanner is passed over the microchip and the owner can be identified.

Get a chip on their shoulder!

The Microchipping of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2015 came into force on 6th April 2016. 

If you are a dog owner these regulations affect you!

The Regulations impose a number of legal duties on everyone who keeps/owns a dog.

Every keeper/owner of a dog, other than a puppy under 8 weeks of age or a certified working dog, must have their dog microchipped and must have certain information recorded on a database.

This information includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• the full name and address of the keeper/breeder
• the original name or identification number given to the dog;
• the contact telephone number (if any) for the keeper;
• the email address (if any) for the keeper;
• the name given to the dog by the keeper
• the sex of the dog
• the breed of the dog, or a description if it is a cross-breed;
• the colour of the dog;
• any distinguishing features of the dog;
• the most accurate estimate of the dog's date of birth which the keeper is capable of giving
• the unique number of the microchip implanted in the dog. 

The Regulations prevent a dog from being transferred to a new owner/ keeper until it has been microchipped. As the new owner of a dog you are required to update the information on the database on the transfer of keeper/ownership (unless the previous owner has already done so).  Failure to comply with these regulations can result in a maximum penalty of £500.

Local Authority Officers and Police Officers are given the power to:

• serve a notice on a dog owner requiring them to microchip their dog
• have a dog microchipped and recover the cost of doing so from the keeper or
• take possession of a dog, without the consent of the owner, for the purpose of checking whether it is microchipped and, if it is not, to microchip it.

For more detailed information you are encouraged to read the Regulations (opens in a new tab)

If you have been served a notice but disagree you can appeal (opens in a new tab) 

Don't forget to update your details!

A chip is useless if the details are incorrect. If you move house or change your phone number please make sure you update your dog's microchip. 

If we pick up a lost dog we will try our best to return it to you. However if you are not available or no one is home and we can't get hold of anyone we have no choice but to take the dog to the kennels. This can cause a lot of stress for owners and their dog and also as the owner you will be charged a Kennel fee.

If you sell/pass your dog onto someone else you must make sure the details on the chip are changed.  By law whoever is registered as the owner on the dogs microchip is the legal owner and therefore responsible. So should the dog cause an accident or damage to someone or something whoever is registered will be held responsible.

You can check your dog's chip details online (opens in a new tab) or you can call our Dog Warden Sally on 07557 251669.

Duty of Care Animal Welfare Act 2006

Section 9 of the above Act involves the provision of five requirements or "freedoms" in relation to the welfare of animals, namely:-

• A suitable environment
• A suitable diet
• Exhibiting of normal behaviour patterns
• Companionship
• Protection form pain, suffering, injury and disease

The Council is committed to maintaining full compliance with these requirements In relation to all aspects of the dog control service